Everything else is a tactical decision.I'd also strongly recommend reading "Lifeonaire" by Steve Cook and Shaun McCloskey.Once you have that number, calculate the gap between where you are and where you need to be.

Both are smokers and one has a cat, both things I will not be allowing from new tenants.

No one wants to look out of their front window while cooking dinner and see a deteriorated house immediately across the street.

We had a similar situation on a property we bought at Cook county sheriffs sale.

You remind me of my mom watching cooking shows.

4 unit loan limit is $815650 in cook county IL.

Then on the left side, remove that whole block to left of cooking range, turn it to make it adjacent (yes leaves less walking space to storage( from where this pic was taken), and add 2 stools.Appreciae tips/Ideas.

None of the tenants have pets and there is only one smoker, who only smokes on the patio and his unit smells great!

If you are looking to capitalize on the "Rutgers market" I would look across the river, while the properties are a bit more expensive, the rents are SIGNIFICANTLY higher, even off Cook/Douglas Campus.

You hit on it Jon, don't put in more than you are willing to lose.I've been there done that. but.....On the square across from the courthouse (think about the time you could save doing title searches, LOL) that is usually a gold mine with a simple lunch, home cooking menu....really, you get tons of courthouse employees.